Big Third Quarter by #10 Catawba Results in 9-8 Victory over Men's Lacrosse

MISENHEIMER, N.C. – Catawba College’s Steven Ridolfo (Charlotte, NC) scored six goals on Wednesday afternoon to lead the 10th-ranked Indians past Pfeiffer University 9-8 in men’s lacrosse action at N.E. Lefko Field. The win keeps Catawba perfect on the year at 4-0 while the Falcons dip to 1-2.

Ridolfo started things off with the only goal of the first quarter using an unassisted strike to put the visitors up 1-0 with 3:48 remaining. After Pfeiffer’s James Shepherd (St. John, NEW BRUNSWICK) scored back-to-back to start the second, Ridolfo would put home the equalizer with 8:54 to play before the half. Kory Lutes (Orlando, FL) would assist on Tucker Hammock’s (Marietta, GA) go-ahead goal 18 seconds later before a Braden Artem (Acton, ONTARIO) tally and another by Ridolfo would give the Indians momentum and a 4-3 halftime lead.

Ridolfo would score again to open up the third before a Shepherd man-up goal kept the Falcons within one with 11:32 remaining. After Freddie Turcio (Guilford, CT) and Elliot Gilbert (Corning, NY) traded tallies, Catawba would take final control using three-straight man-up goals to grab a 9-5 lead. Trevor Sieracki (Austin, TX) scored with 3:57 left before Ridolfo put home his final two with 53 and 16 seconds left in the third.

Pfeiffer made a furious comeback in the fourth and final period as Hammock scored with 12:45 left before Steven Tilmon (Orlando, FL) scored just 1:32 later. Justin Rose (Rochester, NY) would put Pfeiffer again within one at 9-8 with 6:14 to play but both sides would go the remaining six and change without finding the back of the net again.

Catawba net minder Michael Peccia (Coquitlum, BRITISH COLUMBIA) made 15 saves in net for the Indians while scooping up a team-high four groundballs. Turcio would cause five of Catawba’s eight turnovers on the day. Shepherd led the Falcons with his hat trick while Luke Gillespie (Vancouver, BRITISH COLUMBIA) corralled a game-high seven groundballs.

Pfeiffer will return to action at home on Saturday hosting Florida Southern at 2:30 p.m. Live stats will be available courtesy of http://www.gofalconsports.com.